AND  FRANCIS-JOSEPH	265
from time to time to some guest. Foreign ambassadors
and envoys usually avail themselves of this opportunity to
present their countrymen to his majesty.
Of course no one is permitted to invite any of the arch-
duchesses or foreign princesses of the blood who may hap-
pen to be present to dance. It is they who have the
privilege of taking the first step in the matter. Whenever
they desire to dance with any man they cause Mm to be
notified of their wish by their chamberlain in attendance.
The cavalier thus honored is obliged to consider this inti-
mation in the nature of a command, and all engagements
with fair partners of a less exalted rank, are annulled
thereby.
Refreshments are served for the ordinary guests in the
" Pietra-Dura" room, where a superb buffet is set, the
tables glittering with gold plate and Venetian glass. For
the imperial princes and princesses the Hall of Mirrors
is generally reserved, and there the scene is even still more
magnificent. By midnight all is over. The court has
retired with the same ceremonial that marked its arrival,
and the guests are looking for their wraps and cloaks. All
court entertainments at Vienna begin early and end early,
so as not to interfere unduly with the emperor's practice of
rising at about five o'clock in the morning.
One of the features of the great court functions at Ber-
lin, as well as at Vienna, which excites the greatest surprise
of Americans visiting Europe for the first time, is that par-
ticular form of homage accorded to royalty which consists
in the kissing of the hand or '' handkuss.J> Not only the
hands of the royal and imperial ladies are required by eti-
quette to be kissed when offered to gentlemen, but it is
also considered necessary for both men and women to kiss
the hand of the sovereign when he condescends to extend